Cooley Dickinson nurses authorize possible strike
NORTHAMPTON — Registered nurses at Cooley Dickinson Hospital voted Thursday to authorize a one-day strike, their union, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, announced Friday.
The vote doesn't necessarily mean there will be a strike. But nurses did authorize their bargaining committee to call a one-day strike if necessary.
Cooley nurses voted 99% in favor of the strike authorization, or 295 yes votes to 3 no votes. With 399 MNA nurses at Cooley, turnout for the vote was at 75%.
The union complains of uncompetitive wages, potential hikes to health insurance costs and nurses facing unsafe staffing conditions.
Parent hospital system Mass General Brigham also wants to redefine full-time from 30 to 36 hours, the statement said.
On behalf of Cooley Dickinson, Kelly Mitchell, of the public affairs office at Mass General Brigham, said management has talked in 17 sessions with the Nurses Association union to date.
"We have presented a fair and equitable proposal and reached agreement on many important issues," Mitchell said in a statement. "Our focus remains on supporting our nurses while providing high-quality, safe care for our patients. If a strike were to be authorized by the MNA and were to take place, we are prepared to continue providing the excellent care our patients expect."
Stories by Jim Kinney
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